Submitted by: Mawisa Chauke
On 20 February 2020, one year after her cancer diagnosis and the first round of chemotherapy, Mawisa Chauke shared this with the #ImStaying family:
On this day last year I became a chronic patient,
On this day last year I was facing my fears head-on.
On this day last year I felt the pain deep down my heart, soul and the entire body.
On this day last year I knew that I’m fighting a battle that I have to win!!
On this day last year I changed my mindset and became more positive than ever.
On this day last year I couldn’t even move my neck.
On this day last year I had people I thought they care for me and they will support me but they vanished.
On this day last year I knew the value of my family more than ever before.
On this day last I didn’t celebrate my younger brother’s birthday like I used to, as I was in pain.
I conquered it all!! I didn’t die, I’m alive and I’m still gonna live more.
God added more years from what he gave me when I was born.
You will also live just accept that you are in pain, be positive, allow people to support you, allow people to leave you. God has a purpose for your life.
Xikwembu a xi endli – God does not make a mistake I’m telling u!!
Mawisa faced her battle head-on
It was late December 2018, when Mawisa (30), a single mother of an 8-year old son, experienced intense pain in her left breast. She thought it was the bra she was wearing.
The following morning she found a huge lump in her breast. The pain did not subside and she went to the doctor. “It cannot be cancer,” was his diagnosis, but scheduled a scan as precaution. At the follow-up appointment, he informed Mawisa to come back in six months time. He suspected she had fibrocystic breasts.
Once she had absorbed the news, she made decisions as to how she was going to approach this challenging journey.
Six months passed and the lump had become huge. She went for the recommended check-up. After tests came the shocking result: Cancer, triple-negative breast cancer.
Her world was turning to turmoil, again. She had lost her partner and father to her son in 2016, and now this life-threatening diagnosis. The process of realising the news, asking “why me”, being scared, angry, sad, and finally the acceptance of her situation set in. Once she had absorbed the news, she made decisions as to how she was going to approach this challenging journey, a journey that struck a chord with #ImStaying members when she posted her powerful message.
Mawisa remembers the day of her first chemo. “Can you imagine the fear that comes with receiving the “red devil” (chemotherapy drip), yoh ni chuhwile (I was scared). I prepared myself mentally and physically. I knew I was going to lose my hair after chemo, so I intentionally cut off my hair before chemo.” By doing so, she spared herself the trauma of losing clumps of hair over the arduous treatment period that included 16 chemotherapy sessions, five radiation treatments, and four surgeries.
Mawisa had found meaning in her cancer journey.
Mawisa comes from Matiyani Village in Northern Limpopo, a rural village. Her diagnosis and reaction to it brought home the realisation that many women, especially in rural settings, are even to this day influenced by the myth that cancer is caused by witchcraft and that it only affects the elderly.
Mawisa had found meaning in her cancer journey. She set about quashing the myth by setting up a Facebook page, MawisaThe Survivor and also a YouTube Channel to spread the word that cancer can happen to anyone, at any age, and that it can be beaten.
“My whole life changed. The way I see life changed, and it also changed how I see other people.”
In an article published online by Health-e News she explained: “Like any human being, when I was told I had cancer I was shocked and cried, while also asking myself many questions like ‘Why me?’ Deep down I told myself that cancer is just a disease like any other, and it is not a symptom of witchcraft. We, as Africans, need to run away from the mentality that cancer is caused by witchcraft – which is totally wrong and misleading, especially to the younger generations. Cancer, like any other disease, can affect anyone at any time,” she said.
She added, “Through my journey with cancer, I saw my hair fall out, my tongue and nails turn black, and I also saw my body appearance change. I embraced all those changes, knowing that it is all part of cancer and not witchcraft. If we notice something unusual in our bodies, we need to get medical help, and stay away from the “xiloyi loyi” (witchcraft) mindset, as it delays people from getting treatment on time.”
Mawisa the Warrior
“Let us join hands and spread the word. My whole life changed. The way I see life changed, and it also changed how I see other people,” is her message to #ImStaying.
Help her spread her message and quest to break the cycle of ignorance and fear regarding cancer. Break the myth that cancer is “xiloyi loyi” (witchcraft) and the misconception that cancer only happens to other people. Ignorance is the greatest threat in the fight against this disease.
She recently attended a Relay for Life cancer awareness event to celebrate her survival, and spoilt herself with a brand new set of wheels to celebrate her life and journey!
Be inspired by her indomitable spirit, a true warrior and a survivor.
Editor: Erna Maré
For more positive and uplifting stories visit us at #ImStaying
GOOD THOUGHTS • GOOD WORDS • GOOD DEEDS
